Author Archives: Charles Lambert

Running Babel to advantage

Posted on February 22, 2007 by Charles Lambert

Like some mythological beast, the university language centre I work in is about to undergo what looks like its final metamorphosis. Its first director treated it as a centre of power and money cow, running the place as an occasionally … Continue reading →

Posted in barone, language, lettore, university | Leave a comment

A question of priorities

Posted on February 21, 2007 by Charles Lambert

It‘s interesting that the Anglican church appears to prefer the homophobic Archbishop Arsehole of Nigeria to the rather more gay-friendly Episcopalians in the States. It‘s none of my business, of course, but wouldn‘t it be a little closer to the … Continue reading →

Posted in gay, homophobia, human rights | Leave a comment

Navigation

Posted on February 20, 2007 by Charles Lambert

Another great story by Vanessa Gebbie, in the Steel City Review. The Marc Lowe piece is pretty fine as well.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Phylogenetic, ontogenetic… As long as our mothers love us

Posted on February 20, 2007 by Charles Lambert

Berlusconi totty, Mara Carfagna, ex showgirl transformed into member of parliament for the capo’s ‘political’ party,Forza Italia, announced a couple of days ago that gay couples couldn’t be considered families because they were ‘constitutionally sterile’. Tell that to a broody … Continue reading →

Posted in berlusconi, carfagna, crank, gay, homophobia, religion | Leave a comment

Fancy a cracker?

Posted on February 19, 2007 by Charles Lambert

According to one of the weirdest sites I know (and only available in Italian, I’m afraid), the world is even filthier than we thought. Sexual imagery and language is everywhere. Nothing is safe. Even a humble biscuit has its own … Continue reading →

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The house above the cork forest (4)

Posted on February 19, 2007 by Charles Lambert

Things go from bad to worse. It turns out that the land attached to the house is surrounded by common land, the boundaries of which are time-honoured but undefined. There seems to be a goat path running along the north-eastern … Continue reading →

Posted in house-buying | Leave a comment

Cameroon, China, Cuba, Pakistan, Russia, Senegal, Sudan, Zimbabwe, etc.

Posted on February 18, 2007 by Charles Lambert

Being gay is still a crime in 75 countries, and punishable by death in nine. If you’re reading this blog you’ll probably feel this is a bad thing and want to sign a petition for the international decriminalisation of homosexuality … Continue reading →

Posted in gay, homophobia | Leave a comment

Layered dog

Posted on February 18, 2007 by Charles Lambert

I just clicked on the next blog. It’s in Japanese (I think) and features fish, both fried and alive, and a rather beautiful dog. I couldn’t resist this photograph (actually, of two beautiful dogs). I know I have my own … Continue reading →

Posted in pets | Leave a comment

Copernicus got it wrong…

Posted on February 17, 2007 by Charles Lambert

…according to Warren Chisum, the chairman of the Texas House Appropriations Committee. He has hard evidence of, you guessed it, a Jewish conspiracy to undermine the Old Testament by inventing the absurd notion that the earth goes round the sun. … Continue reading →

Posted in crank, pope, religion | Leave a comment

Strained relationships

Posted on February 17, 2007 by Charles Lambert

Italian judges, particularly those in Milan, have been making themselves unpopular with the rich and powerful (read Berlusconi and his cronies/sponsors) for quite some time. But now they’re taking on the big bad wolf itself: The CIA. Along with the … Continue reading →

Posted in berlusconi, USA | Leave a comment